Apparatus for the safe removal and replacement of hypodermic needle caps, interchanging of needles, and storage of needles, caps, and fully assembled hypodermic needles.

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for the safe removal and replacement of hypodermic needle caps, interchanging of needles, and storage during tasks with a heavy base with space hollowed out to allow for cap gripping mechanism and tunnel for capped needle removal, the base is to be slanted slightly towards the user, The friction or mechanical needle cap gripping mechanisms to be comprised of rubber, soft plastic, or the like, a top to secure the cap gripping mechanism in the base, a ramped cone shaped opening in the top to allow for the cap of a capped needle to pass through and be captured by the cap gripping mechanism, and an extended tunnel shaped opening to allow for the re-capped needle to be removed and needles to be interchanged.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of medical devices andmore specifically to a device for the safe removal and replacement ofhypodermic needle caps.

This technology was envisioned days after I nearly stuck myself with ahypodermic needle while attempting to recap it. Needle sticks are thenumber one occupational hazard in the health care industry and thistechnology was created to eliminate the occurrence altogether. Thedevice takes the place of and eliminates the need for thede-capping/re-capping hand in the procedure of removing and replacingthe cap of a hypodermic needle thus removing any possibility of anaccidental needle stick, allows for the safe interchanging of needles,and allows for the safe storage of needles by allowing the user to placean capped/uncapped needle/s in the stand safely while completing tasks,therefore avoiding accidental needle sticks in between activities.

Prior technology consists of a light plastic device that allows for theconnection of one or more cap/s of hypodermic needles, then with the useof both hands allows for the safe removal and replacement of the needlecap.

The main deficiency in the prior technology is the requirement of theusage of both hands for connecting needle, removal and replacement ofcap, and removing needle from the device. Another deficiency of theprior device is that because both hands are required for usage the capside hand would still be in danger of a possible stick. Still anotherdeficiency is overall efficiency suffers because of the nature of howthe device connects and disconnects from the hypodermic needle cap andthe need for both hands during usage.

Another prior technology consists of a one-piece disposable design whichrequires it be affixed to a stationary object for the possibility,though not guaranteed, one handed usage. Another deficiency is that thedevice wears out, due to the nature of how the captured needle isremoved, over time and therefore needs to be replaced.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

-   -   The primary object of the invention is to allow for the safe        removal and replacement of hypodermic needle caps.    -   Another object of the invention is to support one handed usage        without the need to affix the device to a stationary object.    -   Another object of the invention is to allow for the        interchanging of needles via the integrated needle cap securing        channel.    -   Another object of the invention is to allow needle caps to be        held/stored while using the needle and allows for one handed        re-capping by the user.    -   Another object of the invention is to allow for the storage of        needles to allow for related/unrelated tasks to be completed        safely.    -   Another object of the invention is to prevent accidental        injection or damage to the operator.    -   A further object of the invention is to prevent contamination.    -   Yet another object of the invention is to prevent spread of        disease.    -   Still yet another object of the invention is to increase        efficiency in the uncapping and re-capping of needles.    -   Another object of the invention is to increase efficiency in        experimentation requiring the usage of hypodermic needles.        Other objects and advantages of the present invention will        become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in        connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of        illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention        is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed an apparatus for the safe removal and replacement ofhypodermic needle caps comprising: A weighted base with space to allowfor cap gripping mechanism and tunnel with tunnel lock for capped needleremoval and/or interchanging which is slanted slightly towards the user,a replaceable/interchangeable needle cap gripping mechanism, comprisedof rubber, soft plastic, or the like, a top to secure the cap grippingmechanism (capture core) in the base, with a channel that allows for onehanded removal, a ramped cone shaped opening in the top to help guideand allow for the cap of a capped needle to pass through and be capturedby the cap gripping mechanism (capture core), and an extended tunnellike opening to allow for the re-capped needle to be safely singlehandedly removed, repeatedly, without accidentally uncapping it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

FIG. 1. is a top perspective (front) view of the invention.

FIG. 1.A. is the same view as FIG. 1. the apparatus in use with theentire needle (cap, needle, and syringe) held within the capturing core.

FIG. 1.B. is the same view as 1.A. the needle has been uncapped and allthat remains is the needle cap which remains in the capturing core.

FIG. 1.C. is also the same as 1.A. with the needle being interchanged,so the needle and cap are retained in the capturing core and the body ofthe syringe is absent.

FIG. 2. is a left perspective (top) view of the invention.

FIG. 2.A. is the same view as FIG. 2. the apparatus in use with theentire needle (cap, needle, and syringe) held within the capturing core.

FIG. 2.B. is the same view as 2.A. the needle has been uncapped and allthat remains is the needle cap which remains in the capturing core.

FIG. 2.C. is also the same as 2.A. with the needle being interchanged,so the needle and cap are retained in the capturing core and the body ofthe syringe is absent.

FIG. 3. is a top view of the base of the device, it has the capture coreinstalled.

FIG. 3.A. is the same view as FIG. 3 with the capture core removed.

FIG. 4. is a perspective (top-left) view of the base of the device withthe capture core installed.

FIG. 4.A. is the same perspective view as FIG. 4 with the capture coreremoved

FIG. 5. is a perspective (top-left) view of the capture core.

FIG. 5.A. is the same view as FIG. 5 with a cap and needle captured inthe core.

FIG. 6. is a top view of the capture core.

FIG. 7. is a top view of the removable top.

FIG. 8. is a perspective cross sectional view (top-left) of the deviceit has a needle cap captured in the capture core.

FIG. 9. is a top view of the possibility of the device in a format thatcan house multiple capture cores, useful in settings where thesimultaneous usage of multiple needles is necessary.

In the accompanying drawings;

-   -   1. Represents the base of the device, made of a material capable        of withstanding sterilization via all acceptable methods.    -   2. Represents the removable device top, made of a material        capable of withstanding sterilization via all acceptable        methods.    -   3. Represents a ramped surface built into the top that guides        the capped needle into the removable/replaceable capture core.    -   4. Represents the capture core, made of a material capable of        withstanding sterilization, and able to accept, grip, and retain        a capped needle. The core accepts and grips the needle cap to        allow for the safe uncapping recapping, interchanging and        storage of needles.    -   5. Represents the tunnel built into the device top, which is        present to allow for the needle to be safely removed one handed,        the walls of the tunnel are distanced in a way as to allow them        to be used as a tool, to allow the syringe to be twisted off        while keeping the cap secure, ultimately allowing for the        interchanging of needles.    -   6. Represents the tunnel built into the base of the device, it        allows for a capped needle and syringe to be safely freed, with        one hand, from the capture core without accidentally unsheathing        it again.    -   7. Represents any syringe.    -   8. Represents any needle cap.    -   9. Represents any needle.    -   10. Represents the space built into the base to accept the        capture core.    -   11. Represents a fully assemble hypodermic needle, with the        syringe, needle, and cap present and assembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein.It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may beembodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailedsystem, structure or manner.

An apparatus for the safe, one handed, removal and replacement ofhypodermic needle caps, interchanging of needles and storage of cappedneedles and fully assembled hypodermic needles comprising of a weightedbase and an replaceable/interchangeable bonding insert for the momentarycapture of the hypodermic needle cap, the machine is slanted slightlytowards user for ease of usage and has a tunnel in the device and theinsert to allow for removal of a recapped needle without the danger ofremoving the cap once again, the tunnel walls of the device top alsoacts as a channel lock to allow for needle interchangeability.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for the safe removal and replacementof hypodermic needle caps, interchanging of needles, and needle/capstorage comprising:
 2. A heavy base with space to allow for cap grippingmechanism and tunnel for capped needle removal which is slanted towardsthe user;
 3. A needle cap gripping mechanism (capture core), comprisedof rubber, soft plastic, or the like, with a tunnel space to allow forone handed capped removal;
 4. A top to secure the cap gripping mechanismin the base, that also allows for the needle to be captured in a waythat allows for its removal and replacement;
 5. A ramped cone shapedopening in the top to allow for the cap of a capped needle to passthrough and be captured by the cap gripping mechanism; and
 6. Anextended tunnel shaped opening to allow for the re-capped needle to besafely removed in its capped state.
 7. The tunnel's design feature andproximity to the edges of the needle cap also allows it to act as a toolto allow for the interchanging of needle caps.